Physical activity is beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes - StrictionD Review and for everyone else as well, and is one of the few things shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Exercise does not have to involve sports and you can usually find something to suit your lifestyle. It helps your body move glucose from the blood to fuel your working muscles. It also helps you become more insulin sensitive over time. And working out can help you lose weight, which could even reverse your Type 2 diabetes. But having Type 2 diabetes means there are a few things you should be aware of when you work out, so it's important to understand the effects of diabetes on exercise...
Check for low blood sugar. When you exercise, sugar is used to fuel your muscles. This happens without the use of insulin, which is one reason why exercise is great for those with diabetes. Even if you don't produce insulin, or your body doesn't use it well, exercise will lower your blood sugar levels. This also means it's possible for your blood sugar to get too low during a workout. To prevent this, check your blood sugar before and after exercise. If needed, you can eat a small snack, like fruit juice - so keep some in your gym bag or pack. If you work out for longer than an hour, it's also a good idea to check your blood sugar during your workout in case it gets too low.
Reevaluate your meal plan. You may not need to add carbohydrates to your meal plan to make up for your workout. In fact, if you do, you may take in the same amount of calories as you burned, counteracting your weight loss efforts. However, if you work up to exercising for one hour or more at a time, you may need to add carbohydrates. Talk to your dietitian when you get to that point!